§ Dr. GodmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent discussions he has had with the Inverclyde district council, Historic Scotland. Renfrewshire Enterprise and other interested parties about the proposed demolition of Gourock Ropeworks in Port Glasgow; and if he will make a statement. [5494]
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonMy right hon. Friend has had no recent discussions on the matter of demolition. However, as the question relates to matters undertaken by Historic Scotland, I have asked the agency's director and chief executive, Mr. Graeme Munro, to write to the hon. Member.
Letter to Dr. Norman Godman from Graeme N. Munro, dated 14 December 1995:
You tabled a Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Scotland for written question on 12 December asking what recent discussions he has had about the demolition of the Gourock Ropeworks building. The question relates to operational matters undertaken by Historic Scotland and I have been asked to reply. The terms of this letter will be reproduced in the Official Report and a copy of it will also be deposited in the Library of the House.I would refer you to the letter I wrote to you dated 5 April of this year which was published in the Official Report of the House (Vol.257, 86 part 2 Cols 1167–68) of the same date. In the letter I explained the position on demolition. In order to demolish a listed building such as the Gourock Ropeworks building, listed building consent is required. In relation to a demolition the Secretary of State has to be consulted on any application for consent. To date no application for listed building consent has been received by Historic Scotland for the Secretary of State's consideration.